OKLAHOMA CITY – When Saturday’s Strikeforce event was first announced, Pat Healy was expected to headline the card and fight for the promotion’s lightweight belt. Instead, he had to settle for a hard-fought win on the evening’s preliminary card.

The lightweight bout took place on the preliminary portion of the “Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine” event at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City – the promotion’s final show. It aired on Showtime Extreme ahead of a main card on Showtime.

A 4-to-1 underdog, Holobaugh showed little respect for his opponent and wasted no time at the opening bell before rushing forward to engage. The Louisianan landed several crisp strikes in the pocket before they moved into an opening-minute clinch, Healy’s bread and butter. “Bam Bam” quickly took the fight to the floor and looked to grind from top position, moving immediately into side control. However, a wily Holobaugh showed tremendous scrambling ability underneath, latching on to a deep toehold and nearly taking the back later in the round. However, Healy worked through each attempt and kept control of the positioning.

Holobaugh again looked to strike in the opening stages of the second frame, but Healy immediately closed the distance and brought the action again to the mat. As Holobaugh scrambled to improve position, Healy deftly transitioned to his back and looked to attack with a rear-naked choke. Unable to net the choke, Healy looked to slide over to an armbar, and Holobaugh used the space to pop out the back door. However, Healy offered little breathing room as he stayed tied to the body and kept the entertaining grappling exchanges flowing.

In the closing minute, Healy looked destined to end the fight with an inverted triangle choke, but Holobaugh survived the position and earned his way into the final round.

Holobaugh opened the third round by chopping away at his opponent’s leg and flashed solid takedown defense as Healy seemed to be tiring just a bit. Holobaugh would give up position after missing an armbar attempt but would immediately bounce back with an earnest omo plata attempt. Healy powered through the hold and transitioned into a tight arm-triangle attempt, and while Holobaugh refused to tap, the result was already sealed. Healy would seek a twister in the final seconds but would have to settle for a unanimous-decision win, with scores of 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.

Final stats showed six dominant position compared to none for Holobaugh.

“I just went in there and ground it out,” Healy said after the win. “I thought I had him in a couple of those submission attempts, but he hung in there, so hats off to him.

“I’m a little bummed that Strikeforce is going away because they believed in me and gave me the opportunity to quit my job and train to compete full-time. I want to hug and kiss every employee here and tell them, ‘Thank you.’ I’m looking forward to what’s next, and I hope to get a chance against a top-10 lightweight. I think I’ve earned it.”

Healy (29-16 MMA, 7-1 SF) ends his Strikeforce run on a six-fight win streak. Holobaugh (8-1 MMA, 0-1 SF) was entertaining in defeat and may earn a UFC look.

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